Outcomes of UN climate change conference publicised

Hanoi (VNA) – The significance of the outcomes of the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in France’s Paris was highlighted at a press conference in Hanoi on December 16.

Director of the Department of Meteorology, Hydrology and Climate Change Nguyen Van Tue said the adoption of the Paris Agreement on December 12 after two weeks of negotiations is an important breakthrough of the UN’s efforts over more than two decades to win over global Governments’ cooperation in reducing pollutant gas emissions and curbing global temperature rise.

The Paris Agreement with 31 pages and 29 articles will replace the Kyoto Protocol from 2020, he said, adding that the agreement will enter into force 30 days after at least 55 nations which account for at least 55 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions ratify the accord.

Deputy Director of the department Pham Van Tan, who was also the deputy head of the Vietnamese negotiating delegation, said the agreement commits countries to keeping the rise in global temperatures by the year 2100 compared with pre-industrial times “well below” 2 degrees Celsius, and says they will “endeavour to limit” them even more, to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

The accord also sets up mechanisms for each nation to conduct self-review, and the UN will assess the effectiveness of countries’ efforts to prevent climate change every five years, starting from 2023. The assessment is to help countries update information and make deeper pledges.

It is noteworthy that under the agreement, developed countries will provide financial resources to help developing nations adapt and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. They are encouraged to provide or continue providing the assistance on a voluntary basis, Tan noted.

The goal of jointly mobilising 100 billion USD a year by 2020 is considered important, but the Paris Agreement says the sum may not be enough and calls for more donation, he said.

The pact also includes climate change response issues that Vietnam is interested in, the official added.

At the press conference, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha said Vietnam’s active participation and strong commitments to the fight against climate change at the COP21 were shared and highly valued by many countries, practically contributing to the success of the historic COP21.-VNA